ABOUT THE PROGRAM

ASTM’s #6 Fuel Oil Proficiency Testing Program provides laboratories with a statistical quality assurance (SQA) tool, enabling them to compare, improve, and maintain, a high level of performance in the use of ASTM methods with other laboratories worldwide.

Conducted three times annually, this program provides a different commercial sample, electronic report forms, and test instructions for each test cycle. Your laboratory performs the tests that you normally conduct within your own facility using the specified ASTM methods cited in the program.

Samples, test instructions and data report forms are distributed electronically to each participant on the date samples are distributed. Labs have approximately 8 weeks to submit test data with the final statistical summary reports being electronically distributed in approximately 25 business days.

WHY SHOULD YOUR LABORATORY PARTICIPATE?

A useful and meaningful statistical quality assurance tool to monitor the strengths and weaknesses of your laboratory's performance in conducting testing.

The resource you need to satisfy proficiency testing elements of laboratory accreditation.

A periodic comparison of test results with other participating laboratories.

Should you have an issue with your published results, please write to ptp@astm.org with your lab number and account number.

TEST MATERIALS

One gallon of #6 fuel oil will be used in the program for each test cycle.

TEST PARAMETERS

D5184

Aluminum and Silicon

D664

Acid Number

D287

API Gravity

D482

Ash

D6560

Asphaltenes

D189, D4530, D524

Carbon Residue

D1298

Density

D93

Flash Point

D240

Heat Content

D5185

Metals/Wear Contaminants

D3228, D4629, D5762

Nitrogen

D97

Pour Point

D473, D4870

Sediment

D4740

The Spot Test

D2622, D4294

Sulfur Content

D1548, D5708, D5863

Vanadium, Nickel, Iron, Sodium

D445, D7042

Viscosity, Kinematic

D1796

Water and Sediment

D3279

n-Heptane Insolubles

D95

Water by Content by Distillation

D5291

Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen

NOTE: List of tests subject to change.

DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLES

Test samples are prepared and distributed for ASTM International by Clark Labs in Jefferson Hills, PA. Program registration fees include the cost of shipping the test samples to U.S. participants or, for international participants, to a third-party shipping agent located in the U.S.

IMPORTANT for International participants: You have the following options for receipt of samples:

Ship through a third party shipping agent - Provide ASTM International with the complete contact information of a designated Shipping Agent located in the U.S. who will be responsible for shipping samples from the U.S. to your facility. Participants are responsible for making financial and shipping arrangements directly with the shipping agent.

Please be advised that when samples are shipped, an e-mail is sent only to the contact of record on your ASTM PTP account. It is the customer’s responsibility to advise their designated shipper that the sample has been shipped.

We cannot permit shipping agents to pick up samples at our distributors’ warehouses.

Ship directly from the sample distributor via UPS, DHL, or FEDEX - Provide ASTM International with your shipping account number to cover shipping charges. Check that your carrier will deliver the test materials to your location. Materials classified as Hazardous may have restrictions.

You are responsible for additional fees charged-back to our distributor for any reason relative to your sample shipment including, but not limited to, fees for fuel surcharges, missing/invalid account numbers, dangerous goods, remote area delivery, and multiple delivery attempts.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Participation is on an annual fee basis and open to all laboratories. Registration fees must be paid in advance to participate. Testing must be performed within the participant's laboratory facilities. A laboratory does not need to perform all the program tests to participate.

ABOUT ASTM INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE D02 ON PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND LUBRICANTS

Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants, consisting of over 1,500 members and developer of nearly 670 ASTM International standards, provides the technical direction for the program. Test information generated through the program is utilized by Committee D02 to determine if modifications to ASTM International methods or new methods are warranted and to analytically review program test results. (All data and related information generated from the program is coded to maintain lab confidentiality.)